Anyone else having a hard time with FTM status?

Well this is sooo different from what I ever thought. I'm having a really rough time with being a FTM, and having a difficult baby. My son SCREAMS himself awake most mornings and from naps, he is unable to fall asleep on his own so I rock/swing/cuddle him for hours everyday. On top of that he NEVER seems satisfied with feedings and cries after every bottle. This is despite being in the 85% for weight and putting on plenty in the past month. Anyone else's baby do this?

I am beside myself with anxiety. I don't know if I should just feed him more, try to put him on a schedule, etc. It just seems all my attempts to make some sense of his behavior always crash and burn. He does have nice alert wake times sometimes, but usually is just screaming or generally unhappy at the world. When will it get better and when will I feel like a competent mom?

Comments (14)

I'm with you. Sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake. I don't think i'm good at this. My son has already been sick twice. Now he has RSV. It is so hard taking care of a baby. All we can do it the best we know how. I really hope the "it will all come to you naturally" kicks in soon.

I agree with previous--check with the pediatrician. Don't feel bad about yourself! Some babies are just difficult, but from what I've read they typically grow out of it (forgot what week that usually happens). Hang in there, mama!

My son screams after each bottle and between burping him... So we found the trick is to give him his paci right away so he's still sucking. It was a sanity saver. I'd try that. E have good days and bad but usually it stops the crying as long as he's being held for a little after the bottle is done since I think he had reflux issues. Don't feel bad, babies are hard... They can't tell is what is wrong so it's hard. Just hang in there and do your best. It will be easier.

We give him enough to eat. 3.5 to 4 oz at a time 7-8 times a day. It does take him a while to figure out he's full. Thanks for the positive words everyone! He's a difficult baby but we will get through it. Most days are hard thougb with no family support here in nyc.

My son will be 8 weeks Wednesday & he is the same way. I feel the same as you do. I also have very little to no help most days. My dh (dear husband) is working 2 jobs & now has to go away next weekend for work. Of course it would have to be on the one day I had plans to go out. Oh well!!!

Anyways, I try everything to help my son. He hates paci, swing, and rocking chair. I pretty much have to hold him & rock him to sleep if I put him down he's wide awake but still so tired & we start again. We do lots of tummy time and on his playmat. I try car rides and walks when it's nice out (but of course mother nature sucks this year and we havent had a lot of nice days). It seems as though he's always hungry during the day. He has had thrush 2 times and a cold. The thrush med makes it worse!!! Everyone tells me it will get easier by 3 months but I say, yay just in time to start teething.

My son will be 8 weeks Wednesday & he is the same way. I feel the same as you do. I also have very little to no help most days. My dh (dear husband) is working 2 jobs & now has to go away next weekend for work. Of course it would have to be on the one day I had plans to go out. Oh well!!!

Anyways, I try everything to help my son. He hates paci, swing, and rocking chair. I pretty much have to hold him & rock him to sleep if I put him down he's wide awake but still so tired & we start again. We do lots of tummy time and on his playmat. I try car rides and walks when it's nice out (but of course mother nature sucks this year and we havent had a lot of nice days). It seems as though he's always hungry during the day. He has had thrush 2 times and a cold. The thrush med makes it worse!!! Everyone tells me it will get easier by 3 months but I say, yay just in time to start teething.

I honestly just started feeding him a little more at each feeding and that helped A LOT! He's eating 6-8oz plus whatever he gets from me BF (breastfeed, or boyfriend) (usually 1.5-3 oz) but when I upped his food the first time it made a big difference and then he got unconsolable after a while and I upped it again. His weight and height match up and I'm careful to watch his cues and not overfeed him but an extra ounce or two might change everything. It did for me.

Asudiva - how many times a day do u feed him? I'm wary of overfeeding as he's already in the 85% for weight and 76 for height. My son still wants to eat every time he wakes up. That could be every two hours or three usually.

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